Kirk discovered the brilliance of Scottish whisky in 1987 while vacationing in Edinburgh. Over the course of three and a half decades that followed, he's built upon a knowledge of distilleries and the industry, as well as world whisky.

Kirk prides himself on speaking honestly while avoiding the usual flattery and fluffing that is all too common in whisky reviews these days. Occasionally, such directness has ruffled feathers in high places. So much the better. Because whenever feathers fly, the customer never loses.

Ye olde tradition of investigative journalism is rare these days, but not in Whisky Kirk's reviews. If he turns over a rock, or a cask, and there's something of interest to be found there, well then . . . the reader will hear of it. Every single time.